Hornyhead Chub Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 28 graded lakes across 1 state
Hornyhead Chub is a rough-fish species — typically common in productive, nutrient-rich lakes, sometimes treated as a management nuisance by anglers targeting game-fish. 28 lakes carry documentation. Hornyhead Chub is narrowly distributed — only 28 lakes in Michigan have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Hornyhead Chub lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Hornyhead Chub documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Water Quality of Hornyhead Chub Lakes
Best Hornyhead Chub Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with hornyhead chub ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanford Lake | Benzie | MI | A | - | 17 |
| 2 | Corey Lake | St. Joseph | MI | A | - | 13 |
| 3 | Avery Lake | Montmorency | MI | A | - | 9 |
| 4 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | MI | A | - | 40 |
| 5 | Silver Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 15 |
| 6 | Long Lake | Cheboygan | MI | A | - | 40 |
| 7 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | MI | A | - | 15 |
| 8 | Upper Woodcock Lake; Almira Twp | Benzie | MI | A | - | 9 |
| 9 | Long Lake | Cass | MI | B | - | 25 |
| 10 | Lake Ann | Benzie | MI | B | - | 10 |
| 11 | Silver Lake | Washtenaw | MI | B | - | 15 |
| 12 | Long Lake South Central Basin | Cass | MI | B | - | 25 |
| 13 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 14 | Eagle Lake | Allegan | MI | B | - | 30 |
| 15 | Silver Lake | Genesee | MI | B | - | 15 |
| 16 | Long Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 17 | Lower Woodcock Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 9 |
| 18 | Lower Woodcock Lake; Almira Twp | Benzie | MI | B | - | 9 |
| 19 | Sanford Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 17 |
| 20 | Upper Woodcock Lake | Benzie | MI | B | - | 9 |
| 21 | Long Lake | Gogebic | MI | B | - | 40 |
| 22 | Lake James | Roscommon | MI | C | - | 12 |
| 23 | Silver Lake | Van Buren | MI | C | - | 15 |
| 24 | Brown Lake | Jackson | MI | C | - | 6 |
| 25 | Green Lake | Allegan | MI | C | - | 20 |
| 26 | Green Lake Southwest Basin; Leighton Township | Allegan | MI | C | - | 22 |
| 27 | Baldwin Lake Northwest Basin | Cass | MI | C | - | 25 |
| 28 | Baldwins Lake | Cass | MI | C | - | 33 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have hornyhead chub?
Hornyhead Chub are found in 28 graded lakes: 28 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with hornyhead chub is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for hornyhead chub?
The best hornyhead chub lakes by water quality are Sanford Lake, Corey Lake, Avery Lake, Long Lake, Silver Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where hornyhead chub have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with hornyhead chub?
Hornyhead Chub are most commonly found alongside hornyhead chub, bluntnose minnow, northern longear sunfish, yellow perch, bluegill. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Hornyhead Chub Lakes
Found together in 26 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 24 lakes · 68 total
Found together in 22 lakes · 1,769 total
Found together in 20 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 20 lakes · 109 total
Found together in 20 lakes · 2,637 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.